CLEVELAND, Ga. (March 7, 2026) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University Softball team hosted Columbia International University for their Appalachian Athletic Conference opener, where the Lady Bears swept the series 5-4 and 3-1. TMU rises to an overall record of 13-6, 2-0 AAC.
 
GAME 1
TMU 5 – CIU 4
The Lady Bears struck first in the second inning when Morgan Kacalek lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Grace Folds to score, giving TMU an early 1-0 advantage. TMU added another run in the third inning as Cassie Boatright delivered an RBI single to center field, bringing home Emma Skipper and extending the Lady Bears' lead to 2-0. CIU responded in the fifth inning wh on a three-run home run to center field, putting the visitors in front 3-2. The Lady Bears answered in the sixth inning as Alyssa Crump singled to right field to score Folds, evening the game at 3-3 and forcing extra innings. After a scoreless stretch, TMU secured the victory in the tenth inning when Reagan Chizek reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Boatright to cross the plate, giving the Bears a 5-4 walk-off win.
 
GAME 2
TMU 3 – CIU 1
After a scoreless start, the Lady Bears broke through in the fourth inning when Boatright reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Avery Walker to score, giving TMU a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Kacalek also reached on a fielder's choice, bringing home Rylee Walker to extend the Bears' advantage to 2-0. TMU added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Chizek reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Boatright to score and pushing the lead to 3-0. CIU threatened in the seventh inning with an RBI single, but the Lady Bears held off the late push to secure the 3-1 victory.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears will travel to face Tennessee Wesleyan University for a doubleheader Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up on Saturday, March 14. Game time set for 2:00 p.m.